Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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WIRELESS GAME PLAYER
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to gaming machines such as video slot machines and
video poker machines. More particularly, the present invention relates to
methods and
apparatus for providing portable remote gaming extensions to gaming machines.
Typically, utilizing a master gaming controller, a gaming machine controls
various combinations of devices that allow a player to play a game on the
gaming
machine and also encourage game play on the gaming machine. For example, a
game
played on a gaming machine usually requires a player to input money or indicia
of
credit into the gaming machine, indicate a wager amount, and initiate a game
play.
These steps require the gaining machine to control input devices, including
bill
validators and coin acceptors, to accept money into the gaming machine and
recognize user inputs from devices, including touch screens and button pads,
to
determine the wager amount and initiate game play. After game play has been
initiated, the gaming machine determines a game outcome, presents the game
outcome to the player and may dispense an award of some type depending on the
outcome of the game.
As technology in the gaming industry progresses, the traditional
mechanically driven reel slot machines are being replaced with electronic
counterparts having CRT, LCD video displays or the like and gaming machines
such
as video slot machines and video poker machines are becoming increasingly
popular.
Part of the reason for their increased popularity is the nearly endless
variety of games
that can be implemented on gaming machines utilizing advanced electronic
technology. In some cases, newer gaming machines are utilizing computing
architectures developed for personal computers. These video/electronic gaming
advancements enable the operation of more complex games, which would not
otherwise be possible on mechanical-driven gaming machines and allow the
capabilities of the gaming machine to evolve with advances in the personal
computing industry.
To implement the gaming features described above on a gaming machine
using computing architectures utilized in the personal computer industry, a
number of
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requirements unique to the gaming industry must be considered. The gaming
machine
on the casino floor is a highly regulated device. It is licensed, monitored,
taxed and
serviced. Typically, within a geographic area allowing gaming, i.e. a gaming
jurisdiction, a governing entity is chartered with regulating the games played
in the
gaming jurisdiction to insure fairness and to prevent cheating. For instance,
in many
gaming jurisdictions, there are stringent regulatory restrictions for gaming
machines
requiring a time consuming approval process of 1) new gaming hardware, 2) new
gaming software and 3) any software modifications to gaming software used on
gaming machines.
As an example of the regulation process, in many jurisdictions, to regulate
gaming software on a gaming machine, a gaming software executable is developed
and then burnt onto an EPROM. The EPROM is then submitted to various gaming
jurisdictions for approval. After the gaming software is approved, a unique
signature
is determined for the gaming software stored on the EPROM using a method such
as
a CRC. Then, when a gaming machine is shipped to a local jurisdiction, the
gaming
software signature on the EPROM can be compared with an approved gaming
software signature prior to installation of the EPROM on the gaming machine.
The
comparison process is used to ensure that approved gaming software has been
installed on the gaming machine. After installation, an access point to the
EPROM
may be secured with evidence tape as a means of determining whether illegal
tampering has occurred with the EPROM.
Besides regulating gaming hardware and software, a gaming jurisdiction may
regulate many other aspects of gaming including where games of chance are
played
(e.g. casinos, stores, restaurants and other venues), who may participate in
game play
(e.g. enforcing age restrictions) and where regulated gaming machines may be
located
(e.g. particular areas of a casino). To obtain an operating license, a casino
is required
to adhere to the rules and regulations of the gaming jurisdiction in which it
is located.
Further, a licensed casino that fails to adhere to local gaming regulations
may have its
operating license revoked.
Currently, there is some desire by both game players and casino operators to
expand game playing opportunities on gaming machines beyond the traditional
casino
floor area. For example, many game players would like to continue game play
while
performing an activity, such as getting a meal or going to a sports book,
which
requires them to leave the casino floor area where the gaming machines, by
law, must
be located. More specifically, a game player may want to take a break but may
desire
to continue playing a particular gaming machine because the player may
consider the
gaming machine is "lucky" or may believe the gaming machine is "due" for a
win.
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In this situation, a casino may, provide some players with the ability to
reserve a
gaming machine while they take a break to prevent other game players- from
playing
the machine and spoiling their luck or winning the jackpot due. on the gaming
machine. However, casino operators are reluctant to provide a reservation
service to
most players because while a gaming machine is reserved it does not generate
revenue
for the casino and there is no guarantee the player will return.
In addition, to extend game playing opportunities beyond the casino floor,
local gaming regulations must be 'carefully considered. For example, there
have been
attempts to place gaming machines into hotel rooms. All of, these attempts
have
failed. A major factor in the failure of in-room gaming was the control of
under-age
players, i.e. preventing underage persons from gambling. Thus, in most
jurisdictions =
there are laws against in-room game play.
In view of the above, it would be desirable to provide methods and apparatus
for extending the opportunities for playing regulated gaming machine beyond
traditional casino floor locations where'gaming machines are generally
located.
. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
=
Some embodiments disclosed herein may address the needs indicated above by
providing
methods and apparatus for operating a wireless game player that presents a
game of chance
executed on a gaming machine in communication with the wireless game player.
In
one embodiment, the wireless game player is a hand-held mobile gaming device,
electronically linked to a licensed gaining machine via a wireless connection.
The
wireless game player receives game inputs for a playing a game of chance from
input
mechanisms located on the wireless game player and displays game outcomes for
games on chance on a display screen located on the wireless game player.
However,
all random number generation (RNG) events, game outcomes, meter information,
game related information, and all cash transactions are Maintained in the
licensed
(controlled) gaming machine and not the wireless game player. Thus, the
wireless
game player may be considered a remote extension of the licensed gaming
machine.
The wireless game player may be used anywhere within the legal areas of the
casino and it has the capability of identifying who is using it. For example,
a
biometric input device, such as a finger print reader may be used on the
wireless game
= player to identify the player. Thus, the issue of under-age or excluded
players is
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One aspect of the present invention provides a hand-held wireless game player
for playing a game of chance. The hand-held wireless game player may be
generally
characterized as including: 1) a wire-less communication interface; 2) a
display
screen; 3) one or more input mechanisms; and 4) a microprocessor configured i)
to
__ present the game of chance on the display screen using operating
instructions received
via the wireless communication interface from a master gaming controller
located on
a gaming machine and ii) to send information from input signals generated from
the
one or more input mechanisms to the master gaming controller via the wire-less
communication interface. The wireless game player may be played in a plurality
of
__ venue locations physically separate from the location of the gaming machine
where
the plurality of venue locations are selected from the group consisting of a
keno
parlor, a bingo parlor, a restaurant, a sports book, a bar, a hotel, a pool
area and a
casino floor area. The game of chance played on the wireless game player may
be
selected from the group consisting of slot games, poker, pachinko, multiple
hand
__ poker games, pai-gow poker, blackjack, keno, bingo, roulette, craps and a
card game.
Although, the present invention is not limited to these games.
In particular embodiments, the wireless communication interface may use a
wireless communication protocol selected from the group consisting of IEEE
802.11a, IEEE 802.11b, IEEE 802.11x, hyperlan/2, Bluetooth, and HomeRF. The
__ wireless game player may also comprise a wire network interface for
connecting the
wireless game player to a wire network access point. In addition, the wireless
game
player may also comprise a peripheral interface for connecting to a peripheral
gaming
device where the peripheral interface is a serial interface, a parallel
interface, a USB
interface, a FireWire interface, an IEEE 1394 interface. The peripheral
gaining device
__ may be a printer, a card reader, a hard drive and a CD-DVD drive.
In other embodiments, the one or more inputs mechanisms on the wireless
game player may be selected from the group consisting of a touch screen, a
input
switch, an input button and biometric input device where the biometric input
device
may be a finger print reader. The wireless game player may also include a
detachable
__ memory interface designed to receive a detachable memory where the
detachable
memory unit stores graphical programs for one or more games chance played on
the
wireless game player. The wireless game player may also comprise one or more
of the
following: 1) an audio output interface for receiving a head phone jack, 2) an
antenna,
3) a sound projection device, 4) a battery, 5) a power interface for supplying
power to
__ the wireless game player from an external power source and for charging the
battery
from the external power source, 6) a memory unit where the memory unit may
store
graphical programs for one or more games chance played on the wireless game
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player, 7) an electronic key interface designed to receive an electronic key,
and 8) a
video graphics card for rendering images on the display screen where the video
graphics card may be used to render 2-D graphics and 3-D graphics.
In other embodiments, the microprocessor may be configured to present a
bonus game on the display screen using instructions received from a master
gaming
controller on a gaming machine via the wireless communication interface. In
addition,
instructions received from the master gaming controller and the information
sent to
the master gaming controller may be encrypted. Further, the microprocessor may
execute gaming logic for displaying a web-browser to the display screen. In
addition,
the wireless game player may be configured to present one or more of the
following:
an advertisement, news, stock quotes, electronic mail, a web page, a message
service,
a locator service or a hotel/casino service, a movie, a musical selection, a
casino
promotion, a broadcast event, a maintenance operation, a player tracking
service, a
drink menu and a snack menu.
Another aspect of the present invention provides a gaming machine for
providing remote game play. The gaming machine may be generally characterized
as
comprising: 1) a master gaming controller designed or configured to generate
game
outcomes for one or more games of chance and to present remotely the game
outcomes for the one or more games of chance on a wireless game player; and 2)
the
wireless game player where the wireless game player comprises: i) a wireless
communication interface; ii) a display screen; iii) one or more input
mechanisms; and
iv) a microprocessor configured to present a game of chance on the display
screen
using operating instructions received from the master gaming controller via
the
wireless communication interface and to send information from input signals
generated from the one or more input mechanisms to the master gaming
controller via
the wireless communication interface. The master gaming controller generally
executes regulated gaming software to present the one or more games of chance.
The
wireless game player may be played in a plurality of venue locations
physically
separate from the location of the gaming machine where the plurality of venue
locations are selected from the group consisting of a keno parlor, a bingo
parlor, a
restaurant, a sports book, a bar, a hotel, a pool area and a casino floor
area.
In particular embodiments, the gaming machine may also comprise one or
more gaming devices selected from a group consisting of lights, printers, coin
hoppers, bill validators, ticket readers, card readers, key pads, button
panels, display
screens, speakers, information panels, player tracking devices and mass
storage
devices. In addition, the gaming machine may comprise, one or more display
screens
located in a main cabinet of the gaming machine. The gaming machine may also
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comprise one or more biometric input devices selected from the group
consisting of a
microphone, a camera, a finger print reader, hand writing input mechanism and
a
retinal scanner and gaming software logic for determining the identity of a
game
player using biometric information input using the one or more biometric input
devices.
The gaming machine may also comprise a network interface where the
network interface is used to communicate with one or more remote servers
selected
from the group consisting of a prize server, a game server, an entertainment
content
server, a cashless ticketing server, progressive game server, a bonus game
server, a
wireless game play server, a web-server and a money transfer server. The
wireless
communication interface may use a wireless communication protocol selected
from
the group consisting of IEEE 802.11a, IEEE 802.11b, IEEE 802.11x, hyperlan/2,
Bluetooth, and HomeRF. The gaming machine may comprise gaming software logic
for encrypting communications sent to the wireless game player and decrypting
communications received from the wireless game player.
The gaming machine may generate game outcomes for games of chance
selected from the group consisting of slot games, poker, pachinko, multiple
hand
poker games, pai-gow poker, black jack, keno, bingo, roulette, craps and card
game.
In addition, the master gaming controller may be designed or configured to
present a
bonus game on the wireless game player. The gaming machine may comprise gaming
software logic for storing a game history record of games played on the
wireless game
player. In one embodiment, a first game of chance may be presented on the
wireless
game player and a second game of chance may be presented simultaneously on the
one or more displays screens located in the main cabinet of the gaming
machine.
Further, the wireless game player may be used for additional activities such
as to
display an advertisement, news, stock quotes, electronic mail, a web page, a
message
service, a locator service or a hotel/casino service, a movie, a musical
selection, a
casino promotion, a broadcast event, a maintenance operation, a player
tracking
service, a drink menu and a snack menu.
Another aspect of the present invention provides a wireless game play system.
The wireless game play system may be characterized as comprising: 1) a
plurality of
gaming machine designed to generate wireless game play sessions on wireless
game
players in communication with the gaming machines; 2) a plurality of wireless
game
players where each wireless game player is designed i) to communicate with at
least
one gaming machine and ii) to present a game of chance using instructions
received
from the gaming machine; and 3) a wireless game play network with at least one
more wireless access points designed to transmit wireless communications to
the
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plurality of wireless game players and designed to receive wireless
communications
from the wireless game players.
In particular embodiments, the wireless game play system may also comprise
one or more of the following: a) one or more repeaters, b) one or more high-
gain
antenna, c) one or more storage cradles for the wireless game players where
the one or
more storage cradles further comprise a communication interface designed to
connect
the wireless game player to the wireless game play network, d) one or more
wireless
game play kiosks designed to provide wireless game play services, e) one or
more
gaming machines connected to said wireless game play network designed to
provide
only wireless game play sessions and f) one or more wireless game play
servers. In
addition, the wireless game play network may be connected to one or more
network
interfaces. The one or more network interfaces may be used to communicate with
one
or remote servers selected from the group consisting of a prize server, a game
server,
an entertainment content server, a cashless ticketing server, progressive game
server,
a bonus game server, a wireless game play server, a web-server and a money
transfer
server.
Another aspect of the present invention provides a method, in a gaming
machine, of generating a wireless game play session on a wireless game player
in
communication with the gaming machine. The method may be generally
characterized as comprising: 1) establishing communications with the wireless
game
player; 2) receiving a message from the wireless game player requesting the
gaming
machine to initiate a game of chance; 3) generating a game outcome for the
game of
chance; and 4) sending operating instructions to the wireless game player
where the
operating instructions are used by the wireless game player to present the
game
outcome for the game of chance. The communications between the gaming machine
and the wireless game player may use a wireless communication protocol
selected
from the group consisting of IEEE 802.11a, IEEE 802.11b, IEEE 802.11x,
hyperlan/2, Bluetooth, and HomeRF.
In particular embodiments, the method may include one or more of the
following: a) reserving the gaming machine for wireless game play, b)
receiving a
request from the wireless game player to select a game of chance to be played
on the
wireless game player, c) prior to establishing communications with the
wireless game
player, selecting a game of chance on the gaming machine, d) receiving a
message
containing a wager amount for the game of chance, e) receiving a message
containing
information from input signals generated on one or more input mechanisms
located
on the wireless game player, e) generating an encrypted message and sending
the
encrypted message to the wireless game player, f) receiving an encrypted
message
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from the wireless game player and decrypting the encrypted message, g)
initiating a
player tracking session, h) adding credits to the gaming machine, i) storing a
game
history of games played on the wireless game player during the wireless game
play
session, j) generating a bonus game outcome and sending operating instructions
to
wireless game player used to present the bonus game outcome on the wireless
game
player, k) sending metering information generated during the wireless game
play
session to a player tracking server, 1) authenticating the identity of a
player using the
wireless game player where the identity of the player is authenticated using
biometric
information received from the player and k) terminating the wireless game play
session. In addition, the method may comprise sending entertainment content to
the
wireless game player where the entertainment content is selected from the
group
consisting of an advertisement, news, stock quotes, electronic mail, a web
page, a
message service, a locator service or a hotel/casino service, a movie, a
musical
selection, a casino promotion, a broadcast event, a player tracking service, a
drink
menu and a snack menu.
Another aspect of the present invention a method of generating a wireless
game play session provides in a wireless game player in communication with a
gaming machine. The method may be characterized as comprising: 1) establishing
communications with the gaming machine; 2) receiving an input signal to
initiate a
game of chance from an input mechanism located on the wireless game player; 3)
sending a message to the gaming machine indicating a game of chance has been
initiated on the wireless game player; and 4) displaying a game outcome for
the game
of chance. The method may also comprise displaying entertainment content on
the
wireless game player wherein the entertainment content is selected from the
group
consisting of an advertisement, news, stock quotes, electronic mail, a web
page, a
message service, a locator service or a hotel/casino service, a movie, a
musical
selection, a casino promotion, a broadcast event, a player tracking service, a
drink
menu and a snack menu.
In particular embodiments, the method may include one or more of the
following: a) receiving a message containing the game outcome generated on the
gaming machine, b) generating a graphical presentation of the game outcome for
the
game of chance, c) booting the wireless game player, d) enabling game play on
the
wireless game player, d) receiving a game selection and sending the game
selection to
the gaming machine, e) receiving a wager amount for the game of chance and
sending
the wager amount to the gaming machine, f) receiving input signals from one or
more
input mechanisms located on the wireless game player and sending information
from
the input signals to the gaming machine, g) generating an encrypted message
and
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sending the encrypted message to the gaming machine, h) receiving an encrypted
message
from the gaming machine and decrypting the encrypted message, i) receiving
authentication
information for a player using the wireless game player such as biometric
information, a PIN
number and a password, j) sending the authentication information to the gaming
machine, k)
receiving a message containing a bonus game outcome generated on the gaming
machine and
I) generating a graphical presentation of the bonus game outcome and
displaying the graphical
presentation of the bonus game outcome.
According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a hand-
held wireless game player for playing a game of chance, the hand-held wireless
game player
comprising; a wire-less communication interface; a display screen for
displaying a graphical
rendition of the game of chance; a sound interface for providing at least
sound to a user of the
wireless game player related to the game of chance; one or more input
mechanisms; and a
microprocessor configured 1) to present the game of chance on the display
screen under
control of a master gaming controller located on a gaming machine wherein the
master
gaming controller executes regulated gaming software to generate the game of
chance on the
wireless game player and wherein the master gaming controller maintains and
updates credit
information resulting from playing the game of chance as each game of chance
is played on
the wireless game player and wherein communication between the microprocessor
and the
master gaming controller is via the wireless communication interface and 2) to
send
information from input signals for playing the game of chance that are
generated from the one
or more input mechanisms to the master gaming controller via the wire-less
communication
interface wherein the wireless game player is adapted for use as a remote
extension to the
gaming machine wherein each game of chance played on the hand-held wireless
game player
comprises: establishing an active communication link with the master gaming
controller and
while the communication link is active; a) receiving one or more input signals
to indicate a
wager amount for the game of chance and to initiate the game of chance on the
one or more
input mechanisms from a game player using the hand-held wireless game player;
b) sending
information from the one or more input signals to the master gaming controller
via the
wireless communication interface wherein the master gaming controller
generates the
outcome game of chance in response to receiving the information from the one
or more input
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signals; c) receiving from the master gaming controller at least an outcome
for the game of
chance; and d) displaying the graphical rendition of the outcome of the game
of chance on the
display wherein the graphical rendition comprises a sequence of video frames
and wherein the
wireless game player is operable to output sound associated with the graphical
rendition; and
wherein when the communication link is inactive terminating play of the game
of chance.
According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a
gaming machine for providing remote game play, the gaming machine comprising:
a master
gaming controller designed or configured 1) to generate game outcomes for one
or more
games of chance using regulated gaming software, 2) to maintain and update
credit
information resulting from playing the game of chance as each game of chance
is played
remotely and 3) to present remotely the game outcomes for the one or more
games of chance
on a wireless game player; and the wireless game player the wireless game
player comprising:
a wireless communication interface; a display screen; a sound interface for
providing at least
sound to a user of the wireless game player related to the game of chance; one
or more input
mechanisms; and a microprocessor configured i) to present a game of chance on
the display
screen under control of the master gaming controller located on the gaming
machine wherein
communication between the microprocessor and the master gaming controller is
via the
wireless communication interface and ii) to send information from input
signals generated
from the one or more input mechanisms to the master gaming controller via the
wireless
communication interface wherein the wireless game player is adapted for use as
a remote
extension to the gaming machine wherein each game of chance played on the hand-
held
wireless game player comprises: establishing an active communication link with
the master
gaming controller and while the communication link is active; a) receiving one
or more input
signals to indicate a wager amount for the game of chance and to initiate the
game of chance
on the one or more input mechanisms from a game player using the wireless game
player; b)
sending information from the one or more input signals to the master gaming
controller via
the wireless communication interface wherein the master gaming controller
generates the
outcome game of chance in response to receiving the information from the one
or more input
signals from the wireless game player; c) receiving from the master gaming
controller at least
an outcome for the game of chance; and d) displaying a graphical rendition of
the outcome of
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the game of chance on the display wherein the graphical rendition comprises a
sequence of
video frames and wherein the wireless game player is operable to output sound
associated
with the graphical rendition and wherein when the communication link is
inactive terminating
play of the game of chance.
=
According to still another aspect of the present invention, there is provided
a
wireless game play system, the wireless game play system comprising: a
plurality of gaming
machine designed to generate and to control wireless game play sessions on
wireless game
players in communication with the gaming machines; a plurality of wireless
game players
wherein each wireless game player is designed i) to communicate with at least
one gaming
machine and ii) to present a game of chance under control of at least one of
said gaming
machine wherein each of the wireless game players is adapted for use as a
remote extension to
at least one of the gaming machines and wherein each game of chance played on
the wireless
game players comprises: establishing an active communication link with the
gaming machine
and while the communication link is active; a) receiving one or more input
signals to indicate
a wager amount for the game of chance and to initiate the game of chance on
the one or more
input mechanisms from a game player using the wireless game player; b) sending
information
from the one or more input signals to a master gaming controller on the gaming
machine via
the wireless communication interface wherein the master gaming controller
generates the
outcome of the game of chance in response to receiving the information from
the one or more
input signals from the wireless game player and wherein the master gaming
controller
maintains and updates credit information resulting from playing the game of
chance as each
game of chance is played remotely on the wireless game player; c) receiving
from the master
gaming controller at least an outcome for the game of chance; and d)
displaying a graphical
rendition of the outcome of the game of chance on the display wherein the
graphical rendition
comprises a sequence of video frames and wherein the wireless game player is
operable to
output sound associated with the graphical rendition and wherein when the
communication
link is inactive terminating play of the game of chance; and a wireless game
play network,
said wireless game play network comprising: one more wireless access points
designed to
transmit wireless communications to the plurality of wireless game players and
designed to
receive wireless communications from the wireless game players.
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According to yet another aspect of the present invention, there is provided in
a
gaming machine, a method of providing a wireless game play session on a
wireless game
player in communication with the gaming machine, said method comprising:
establishing
communications with the wireless game player wherein the wireless game player
is a remote
extension to the gaming machine and under control of the gaming machine; while
communications between the gaming machine and the wireless game player are
active and for
each game of chance played in the wireless game play session, i) receiving a
message from
the wireless game player requesting the gaming machine to initiate the game of
chance and
indicating a wager amount for the game of chance; ii) generating a game
outcome for the
game of chance in response to receiving the message from the wireless game
player; iii)
controlling operation of the wireless game player in manner that allows the
game outcome for
the game of chance to be graphically presented on the wireless game player
wherein the
graphical rendition comprises a sequence of video frames and wherein the
wireless game
player is operable to output sound associated with the graphical rendition;
and iv) maintaining
and updating credit information resulting from play of the game of chance as
the game of
chance is played on the wireless game player; and terminating play of the game
of chance
when the communication link between the gaming machine and the wireless game
player is
inactive.
According to a further aspect of the present invention, there is provided in a
wireless game player in communication with a gaming machine, a method of
providing a
wireless game play session, said method comprising: establishing
communications with the
gaming machine while communications between the gaming machine and the
wireless game
player are active and each game of chance played in the wireless game play
session; i)
receiving one or more input signals to initiate a game of chance and indicate
a wager amount
for the game of chance from one or more input mechanisms located on the
wireless game
player; ii) sending a message to the gaming machine indicating a game of
chance has been
initiated on the wireless game player wherein the gaming machine generates at
least an
outcome for the game of chance in response to receiving the message from the
wireless game
player and wherein the game machine maintains and updates credit information
resulting from
playing the game of chance as each game of chance is played on the wireless
game player;
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and iii) displaying a graphical rendition of the game outcome for the game of
chance wherein
the graphical rendition comprises a sequence of video frames and wherein the
wireless game
player is operable to output sound associated with the graphical rendition;
and when
communications between the gaming machine and the wireless game player are
inactive,
terminating the wireless game play session.
Another aspect of the invention pertains to computer program products
including a machine-readable medium on which is stored program instructions
for
implementing any of the methods described above. Any of the methods of this
invention may
be represented as program instructions and/or data structures, databases, etc.
that can be
provided on such computer readable media.
These and other features of the present invention will be presented in more
detail in the following detailed description of the invention and the
associated figures.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIGURE 1 is block diagram of a gaming machine in communication with a
wireless game player.
FIGURE 2 is a perspective drawing of a gaming machine having a top box and
other devices.
FIGURE 3 is a block diagram of the internal components of a gaming machine
and internal components of a wireless game player.
FIGURE 4 is a block diagram of a network of gaming machines and wireless
game players.
FIGURE 5 is a flow chart depicting a method in a gaming machine of
providing a game of chance on a wireless game player in communication with the
gaming
machine.
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FIGURE 6 is a flow chart depicting a method of providing a game of chance in
a wireless game player in communication with a gaming machine.
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DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
FIGURE 1 is block diagram of a gaming machine 100 in
communication with a wireless game player 125. In the present invention, the
wireless game player 125 is used as a remote extension to extend the game
playing
capabilities of gaming machine 100. Game outcomes for games of chance
generated
using licensed and regulated gaming software executed on the gaming machine
100
may be presented on the wireless game player 125 at remote locations from the
gaming machine 100. Thus, a game generated on a gaming machine 100 may be
presented on a display 118 located on the main cabinet 101 of the gaming
machine
and played using input mechanisms located on the main cabinet of the gaming
machine. In addition, the game generated on the gaming machine may be
presented
on a display 128 located on a wireless game player in communication with the
gaming machine and played with input mechanisms located on the wireless game
player.
As an example game play on gaming machine 100 with the present invention,
a game 116 may be presented on a display 118 located on gaming machine 100.
The
game 116 may be played using input mechanisms, such as input buttons 106 or
touch
screen interface buttons 104. The touch screen interface buttons 104 are
activated
using a touch screen 120 located over the display 118 of the gaming machine
100.
Further, a game 126 may be presented on display 128 located on the wireless
game
player 125. The game 126 may be played using input mechanisms located on the
wireless game player 125, such as 138 and 136 or touch screen interface
buttons 134.
The touch screen interface buttons 134 are activated using the touch screen
146
located over the display 128.
The game logic for a game presented on display 118 or display 128 is stored
within the main cabinet 101 of the gaming machine 100. The game logic, which
is
typically regulated gaming software, is executed by a master gaming controller
(see
FIG. 3) located within the main cabinet 101 of the gaming machine 100. A
particular
game executed by the master gaming controller may be presented on display 118
or,
when the wireless game player 125 is activated, on display 128. In some
embodiments of the present invention, when the same game is presented on
display
118 or on display 128, the graphical presentations of the game may vary
between the
displays because of hardware differences. For instance, display 118 may by
larger
than display 128 allowing for higher resolution graphical output on display
118 as
compared to display 128.
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While playing a game 126 on the portable wireless game player 125, a player
may move throughout the areas of a casino where wireless game play is enabled.
For
instance, a player may be able to play the game 126 with the wireless game
player
125 in a restaurant, a keno parlor or a sports book. The player's position
does not
have to remain static while playing the game 126 on the wireless game player
125 and
the player may be actively moving while games are played on the wireless game
player 125.
When a game is played on the wireless game player of the present invention,
such as 125, all random number generation (RNG) events, game outcomes, meter
information, game related information, and all cash transactions are generated
and
maintained in the licensed (controlled) gaming machine (e.g. 100), and not the
wireless game device. Thus, the wireless game player 125 may be considered a
remote extension of the gaming machine's 100 display and input mechanisms.
With a
gaming machine with a remote extension, the gaming machine may operate in both
a
local mode and a remote mode. In the local operational mode, game play is
presented
using the display and input mechanisms located on the gaming machine. In the
remote operational model, game play is presented using the display and input
mechanisms located on the wireless game player. These two operational modes
are
described as follows.
During local game play on a gaming machine, a player may input money or
indicia of credit into the gaming machine, indicate a wager amount, and
initiate a
game play. For example, to play the slot game 116 on gaming machine 100, a
player
may deposit money or indicia of credit using the bill validator 108, the card
reader
110 or the coin acceptor 109. Status information 114 for the game, such as a
game
denomination and available credits may be displayed on display 118. Next,
using
input buttons 106 and touch screen interface buttons 104, the player may make
a
wager and initiate the game. The gaming machine determines a game outcome and
then presents the game outcome to player on the display 118. For instance,
after a slot
game has been initiated, the video gaming machine calculates the final
position of the
reels (e.g. the game outcome), the reels on display 118 spin and then stop at
pre-
determined position. Based on the pre-determined outcome calculated by the
master
gaming controller, an award may be presented to the player. As another
example,
after a card game has been initiated, the video gaming machine 100 calculates
a
sequence of cards to be dealt to the player and card hands are dealt on the
display 118.
During the card game play, the player may use input mechanisms on the gaming
machine 100 to hold or discard cards. After the card game is complete, an
award may
be presented to the game player.
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The games presented on the gaming machine 100 may be enhanced by
additional features. Light patterns, such as from lights 102, and sounds may
be
generated on the gaming machine 100 to enhance the game outcome presentation.
In
addition, during certain game events, a bonus game may be presented to the
game
player.
During remote game play on a gaming machine using a wireless game player
such as 125, a player may input money or indicia of credit into the gaming
machine,
activate a wireless game player, indicate a wager amount on the wireless game
player
and initiate a game play on the wireless game player. For example, to play the
slot
game 126 on gaming machine 100 using the wireless game player 125, a wireless
game play session is requested by the player. A wireless game play session may
include one or more game plays on a wireless game player 125 connected to the
gaming machine 100 via a wireless communication link 112. The wireless game
play
session request by the player may be made using an input mechanisms located on
the
gaming machine.
Prior to beginning, the wireless game play session, a player may be required
to
deposit money or indicia of credit to in the gaming machine in communication
with
the wireless game player. The deposited credits may be used during the
wireless game
play session. For instance, using the bill validator 108, the card reader 110
or the coin
acceptor 109 located on the gaming machine 100, the player may provide an
initial
amount of credits to be used for a wireless game play session using the
wireless game
player 125. During game play on the wireless game player, a player wagers a
certain
amount of credits per game. Depending on the outcome of a particular game, the
number of credits available for game play may be decreased or may be
increased.
In some embodiments, after a game player has used all of their credits during
a wireless game play session and the player desires to continue the wireless
game play
session, the player may be required to return to the gaming machine to add
additional
credits. In other embodiments (See FIG. 3), a card reader or other input
device may be
attached to the wireless game player 125 and used to add credits to the gaming
machine 100. For instance, a player may be able to enter a credit card number
or debit
card number and transfer funds to the gaming machine to be used as game
credits via
a touch screen interface on the wireless game player 125. Further, the
wireless game
player may include a card reader for scanning a magnetic strip on the debit
card or
credit card,
After establishing game credits on the gaming machine, the wireless game
player 125 is activated. In some embodiments, authentication and verification
of the
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user of the wireless game player is performed. For example, to enforce age
=
restrictions imposed by a jurisdiction, the user may be verified and
authenticated to
use the game player. The wireless game player may have a biometric sensor (not
shown) such as a fingerprint sensor. As part of the authentication process,
the player
may be asked to place their finger on the sensor located on located on the
wireless
game player. The fingerprint image is sent back to the controller in the
machine for
comparison. As another example, the wireless game player may include a smart-
card
reader that reads biometric smart cards (cards having a built-in fingerprint
sensor).
The smart card has all the personal information of the casino guest. Thus, the
authentication could occur directly at the wireless game player. A description
of a
finger print reader as an identification device is provided in co-pending U.S.
application no. 09/172,787, filed 10/14/98, by Wells, et al., entitled "Gaming
Device
Identification method and Apparatus ."
Other types of verification methods such as a PIN number or a
password may be used separately or in combination with biometric
identification
methods. Other biometric identification methods that may be used with the
present
invention include but are not limited to feature identification using a
camera, retinal
pattern identification using a retinal scanner, voice pattern identification
input using a
microphone and hand-writing recognition using a hand writing input pad.
For security, the wireless game player has an encrypted serial number (code),
which is used to verify and authenticate the wireless game player. For
additional
security, an electronic key may be used with the device. With an electronic
key
system, the wireless game player device can not be activated until the key is
inserted
into a receptacle on the game player. In addition, the wireless game Player
may have a
small GPS (Global Positioning System) device to verify location of the device.
Position verification may be used to insure the wireless game player is used
only in
legal gaming areas of the casino and to track lost or stolen devices. When the
gaming
machine detects that the wireless game player is in a restricted area, it may
discontinue communications with the wireless game player. Further, the
wireless
game player may have an RF capacitive device built into the wireless game
player.
RF capacitive devices are often used in retail stores to prevent theft. When
the
wireless game player is passed through a protected doorway, an alarm may be
sounded even when the power is off to the wireless game player. Other security
features may be used on the wireless game player and are not limited to
electronic
keys, GPS sensors or RF capacitive devices described above
Verification and authentication may be required to start every wireless game
play session. Further, there may be a non-play time limit. Once this time is
exceeded,
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a verification and authentication cycle or process must be performed. The
verification
and authentication cycle may be performed for the player and the wireless game
player, for only the player or for only the wireless game player. As another
example,
authentication and verification may be required after a certain number of
games
played on the gaming device or may be even be required at random intervals.
When
verification and authentication requirements are not satisfied during a
wireless game
play session, the game play session will typically be terminated.
In one embodiment of the present invention, after the wireless game player is
activated 125, the input mechanisms, such as the touch screen 120 and the
input
buttons 106, built into the gaming machine 100 are deactivated and a wireless
game
play session may begin. The display 118 on the gaming machine 101 may display
an
"out of order" message, an "operator" message or the display 118 may be blank
to
indicate the gaming machine is unavailable for game play. During remote game
play
on the wireless game player 125, gaming information necessary to present the
game
on the wireless game player, such as a graphical presentation of game outcome
and
meter information, is generated on the gaming machine 100 are transmitted to
the
wireless game player via wireless communication 122. The mathematical methods
used to generate the game outcomes remain on the gaming machine 100. Further,
gaming information required by the gaming machine 100 to the determine the
game
outcome, such as signals from input mechanisms located on the wireless game
player,
are transmitted from the wireless game player 125 to the gaming machine 100
via
wireless communication 122.
During game play on the wireless game player 125, status information 142 for
the game 126, such as a game denomination and available credits may be
displayed
on display 128. The status information 142 and the game 126 displayed on the
wireless game player 125 may appear similar to what is displayed on the gaming
machine 101 but is not necessarily identical to what is displayed on the
gaming
machine 100. Next, using input buttons, such 134, 136 and 138, the player may
make
a wager and initiate the game. In one embodiment of the present invention, the
touch
screen interface buttons 134 may be based on a web-browser interface.
After a game has been initiated on the wireless game player 125, via antenna
124, a wireless communication 122 containing the wager and initiate game
inputs is
sent to the gaming machine 100. In response, to the wager and the
initialization of a
game, the gaming machine 100 generates a game outcome including an award and
possibly a bonus game. Instructions for displaying the game outcome and bonus
game
are sent in one or more wireless communications 122 to the wireless game
player 125.
The one or more wireless communications may be a series of information
packets.
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The format of the information packets will vary according to the wireless
communication standard used. Details of a wireless network for providing
wireless
communications is described with respect to FIG. 4.
To illustrate the play of a particular game, a slot game and a card game are
described. However, the present invention is not limited to these games as
nearly any
type of game that can be played on a video gaming machine may also be played
on
the wireless game player 125. When a slot game 126 has been initiated on the
wireless game player 125, the gaming machine 100 calculates the final position
of the
reels (e.g. the game outcome). The gaming machine may send instruction to the
wireless game player to spin the reels on display 128 spin and then stop the
reels at a
pre-determined position. Based on the final position of the reels calculated
by the
master gaming controller located on gaming machine 100, an award may be
presented
to the player. In addition, during certain game events, a bonus game may be
presented
to the game player as part of the slot game. As another example, after a card
game has
been initiated on the wireless game player 125, the video gaming machine 100
calculates a sequence of cards to be dealt. The gaming machine 100 sends
wireless
communications 122 to the wireless game player 125 indicating card hands to be
dealt
on the display 128. During the card game play, the player may use input
mechanisms
on the wireless game player 125 to hold or discard cards. After the card game
is
complete, an award may be presented to the game player. A bonus game may also
be
incorporated into the card game.
When a customer does not wish to use the wireless game player 125 anymore,
the customer can terminate the wireless game play session using the touch
screen 146
and deactivate the wireless game player 125. As described above, the wireless
game
player 125 may automatically terminate a wireless game play session and
deactivate
itself after a period of inactivity. After roaming with the wireless game
player 125, the
customer may return to the gaming machine providing the wireless game play
session
and wish to resume play on the main display of the gaming machine. In this
case, the
customer may depress a "return" button on the wireless game player 125 and
after a
verification cycle the player can begin playing at the gaming machine again.
The games presented on the wireless game player 125 may be enhanced by
additional features. For instance, light patterns and sounds from the audio
output 140
may be generated to enhance the game outcome presentation and add excitement
to
the games played on the wireless game player 125. Further, the wireless game
player
may include an audio output interface for connecting head phones. As part of a
game
outcome presentation, sounds may be transmitted through the audio output
interface
to head phones worn by the game player.
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Details of the wireless game player hardware are now described. The wireless
game player 125 is generally a hand-held device. It consists of a housing 112,
display
128, touch screen 146, switch panel 144, battery, wireless communication
interface,
and controller. In one embodiment of the present invention, a modified DT
Research
WebDT pad (DT Research, Inc., Milpitas, California) is used as a wireless game
player. However, the present invention is not limited to the DT research WebDT
pad
as other hand-held wireless devices such as personal digital assistants (PDA)
may also
be used.
In one embodiment, the wireless game player may be approximately 10.5 x
9.5 x 1.0 inches in size, weigh 3 pounds and use a 10.4 inch color LCD touch
screen
display. Typically, an 8 inch to 10.4 inch display provides a sufficient
viewing area
without reducing the size of the character fonts to a point where they are
unreadable
by most players. The touch screen (sensor) 146 is overlaid on the displayable
surface
of the LCD 128. Other display technologies can be used instead of LCD, plus
some
display technologies will incorporate a built-in touch screen (internal vs.
external).
To activate the touch screen 146, a stylus 130 may be used, but most people
will use
their fingers.
Audio is available via the small built-in speaker 140 or an external headset.
Lighting schemes, such as arrays of LEDs, may be added to the wireless game
player
125 to provide visual effects and to communicate status information to a game
player.
Status information, such as a battery level and connection status, may be
provided by
the status lights 132. The layout and number of the input buttons, including
138 and
136, is variable. In FIG. 1, the configuration of the input buttons on the
gaming
machine 100 and wireless game player are different. In one embodiment of the
present invention, the input buttons on the wireless game player 125 may be
configured in a manner similar to input buttons located on the gaming machine.
Further, other devices on the wireless game player, such as the audio output
140, the
status lights 132, the antenna 124 and the on/off switch 144 may be located at
other
locations on the housing 112 depending on the design of the wireless game
player.
In one embodiment, the battery will last 5hrs between charging. Charging of
the wireless game player may be accomplished by setting the wireless game
player in
a special storage cradle. The cradles may be in the form of storage bins
located in a
special area, located at the gaming machine or built as holders located on a
desk,
counter or table. For instance, a storage cradle for charging the wireless
game player
may be located in a keno parlor, restaurant tables or sports book. When the
wireless
game player is placed in a storage cradle it may used while being charged.
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In a particular embodiment, the wireless game player 125 uses an IEEE
802.11b compliant wireless interface. It is a 2.4Ghz Direct Sequence Spread
Spectrum radio system. It has a range of up to 330 ft (inside) from any access
point.
The data rate is 11Mbps. IEEE 802.11b is a commonly used radio standard, but
the
present invention is not limited to this standard. Other wireless standards
that may be
used include IEEE 802.11a, IEEE 802.11x, hyperlan/2, Bluetooth, IrDA, and
HomeRF.
In the example above, local gaming and remote gaming on gaming machine
100 has been described in a mutually exclusive manner. Therefore, when local
gaming is enabled, remote gaming is disabled and when remote gaming is
enabled,
local gaming is disabled. The present invention is not so limited. Gaming
machines
that support only remote gaming and not local gaming may be used with the
present
invention. These gaming machines (see FIG. 4) may be located away from the
casino
floor. Further, a gaming machine may support simultaneously a plurality of
remote
gaming devices for game play and not just a single remote gaming device.
Finally,
gaming machine may be used that simultaneously provide both remote game play
and
local game play. For instance, one game player may use a gaming machine for
local
play while another game player is using a wireless game player connected to
the
gaming machine to play remotely.
In FIG 2, another video gaming machine 2 of the present invention is shown.
In FIG. 2, more details of a gaming machine as well as additional gaming
services
that may be provided with a gaming machine providing remote game play sessions
are described. For instance, player tracking services may be provided on
gaming
machines of the present invention and player tracking points may be
accumulated
during a wireless game play session. Further, using a player tracking device
located
on a gaming machine, a player may be able to request a wireless game player
for use
in a wireless game play session.
Machine 2 includes a main cabinet 4, which generally surrounds the machine
interior (not shown) and is viewable by users. The main cabinet includes a
main door
8 on the front of the machine, which opens to provide access to the interior
of the
machine. Attached to the main door are player-input switches or buttons 32, a
coin
acceptor 28, and a bill validator 30, a coin tray 38, and a belly glass 40.
Viewable
through the main door is a video display monitor 34 and an information panel
36. The
main display monitor 34 will typically be a cathode ray tube, high resolution
flat-
panel LCD, or other conventional electronically controlled video monitor. The
gaming machine 2 includes a top box 6, which sits on top of the main cabinet
4. A
second display monitor 42 may be provided in the top box. The second display
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monitor may also be a cathode ray tube, high resolution flat-panel LCD or
other
conventional electronically controlled video monitor. In addition, the gaming
machine
2 is designed to communicate to the wireless game player 125 with display 126.
The
wireless game player 125 provides a remote extension to gaming machine 2.
Typically, after a player has initiated a game on the gaming machine, one
purpose of the main display monitor 34, the second display monitor 42 or the
remote
display 126 is the visual display of a game outcome presentation, including
bonus
games, controlled by a master gaming controller 224 (FIG. 3). Also, the main
display
monitor 34, the second display monitor 42 and the remote display 126 may also
be
utilized to display entertainment content independent of the game outcome
presentation. For example, broadcast events, including television programming,
may
be provided to the main display monitor 34, the secondary display monitor 42
or the
remote display 126. The broadcasts events may be sent to the gaming machine 2
via a
cable link or other suitable link from outside of the gaming machine. All or
some
subset of the programming provided by a television broadcaster may be
displayed as
entertainment content on one or more of the video displays.
Television programming content of particular interest to casino operators and
game players may include, for example, sporting events, talk shows, game
shows,
soap operas, advertisements, situation comedies, etc. In addition, broadcasts
of
competitive events on which the player can wager may be displayed. For
example,
dog racing or horse racing events may be displayed as content on the remote
display
125. In such events, there is typically a rather long down time between races.
During
this period, the player may play the wireless game player 125 connected to the
gaming machine. Also, the television programming entertainment content may be
displayed while a player is engaged in playing a game on the wireless game
player
125 or between games. Similarly, the entertainment content may include
information
available on the Internet, including the World Wide Web, for more
technologically
sophisticated players.
Returning to the gaming machine in FIG. 2, the information panel 36 may be a
back-lit, silk screened glass panel with lettering to indicate general game
information
including, for example, the number of coins played. The bill validator 30,
player-
input switches 32, video display monitor 34, and information panel are devices
used
to play a game on the game machine 2 including the wireless game player 125.
The
devices are controlled by a master gaming controller (see FIG. 3), housed
inside the
main cabinet 4 of the machine 2. Many possible games, including traditional
mechanical slot games, video slot games, video poker, video pachinko, multiple
hand
poker games, video pai-gow poker, video black jack, video keno, video bingo,
video
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roulette, video craps, video card games and general games of chance, may be
provided with gaming machines of this invention. These games may be played
using
the wireless game player 125.
General games of chance refer to games where a player makes a wager on an
outcome of the game. The outcome of the game of chance may be affected by one
or
more decisions may be the player. For instance, in a video card game, the
player may
hold or discard cards which affects the outcome of the game.
The top box 6 houses a number of devices, which may be used to add features
to a game being played on the gaming machine 2, including speakers 10, 12, 14,
a
ticket printer 18 which may print bar-coded tickets 20, a key pad 22, a
florescent
display 16, a camera 45, microphone 44 and a card reader 24 for entering a
magnetic
striped cards. The speakers may be used to project sound effects as part of a
game
outcome presentation. The key pad 22, the florescent display 16 and the card
reader
24 may be used for to enter and display player tracking information. As
another
example, the player may enter playing tracking information and identification
information using the card reader 24 and the main video display 34 where the
main
video display may be used as a touch screen to enter information. Player
tracking
information may be entered into the gaming machine before a player initiates a
game
on the gaming machine. Typically, the player's incentive to enter player
tracking
information into the gaming machine 2 is potential rewards related to the
amount of a
player's game play.
The top box also includes a candle 46. The candle is a light that may be
activated by the master gaming controller on the gaming machine. In one
embodiment, an antenna (not shown) may be installed in the candle. The antenna
may
be used to provide wireless game play sessions to one or more wireless game
players
in communication with the gaming machine 2 via the antenna.
In addition to enabling player tracking services, the key pad 22, the
florescent
display 16 and the card reader 24 may be used to enter identification
information that
enables a player to access entertainment content or receive personal messages
on the
gaming machine independent of a game play and game outcome presentation on the
gaming machine 2. For example, a player may enter a personal identification
number
into the gaming machine 2 using the key pad 22 that allows the player to
receive
entertainment content such as viewing a movie or a broadcast event. As another
example, after entering the personal identification number, the player may be
allowed
to receive a personal message indicating a table is ready at a restaurant in
the casino
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or to receive a personal message containing information on a sporting event
such as a
score of personal interest to the player utilizing the gaming machine.
In one embodiment of the present invention, the player tracking services and
related gaming service described above may be provided via a touch screen
interface
on the wireless game player 125. For instance, the wireless game player 125
may
include a card reader for reading a player tracking card and player tracking
identification information may be provided via a touch screen interface on the
wireless game player. Further, the player may be able to access player
tracking
information using the wireless game player 125.
In addition to the devices described above, the top box 6 may contain
different
or additional devices than shown in the FIG. 2. For example, the top box may
contain
a bonus wheel or a back-lit silk screened panel which may be used to add bonus
features to the game being played on the gaming machine. During a game, these
devices are controlled and powered, in part, by circuitry (not shown) housed
within
the main cabinet 4 of the machine 2. Understand that gaming machine 2 is but
one
example from a wide range of gaming machine designs on which the present
invention may be implemented. For example, not all suitable gaming machines
have
top boxes or player tracking features. Further, some gaming machines have two
or
more game displays ¨ mechanical and/or video, while others are designed for
bar
tables and have displays that face upwards. As another example, a game may be
generated in on a host computer and may be displayed on a remote terminal or a
remote computer. The remote computer may be connected to the host computer via
a
network of some type such as the Internet. Those of skill in the art will
understand
that the present invention, as described below, can be deployed on most any
gaming
machine now available or hereafter developed.
Returning to the example of FIG. 2, when a user selects a gaming machine 2,
he or she inserts cash through the coin acceptor 28 or bill validator 30.
Additionally,
the bill validator may accept a printed ticket voucher which may be accepted
by the
bill validator 30 as an indicia of credit. Once cash has been excepted by the
gaming
machine, it may be used to play a game on the gaming machine. Typically, the
player
may use all or part of the cash entered into the gaming machine to make a
wager on a
game play. Depending on the amount of the wager on a game or for a fee, a
player
may be able to access various entertainment content sources for a length of
time. For
example, a wager on a game above a certain threshold amount may enable a
player to
watch a broadcast event or to access the World Wide Web for up to 5 minutes
after
each wager on the gaming machine 2. In addition, cash or indicia of credit
entered
into the gaming machine may be used to purchase entertainment content
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of a wager made on a game on the gaming machine. For example, for a 10 dollar
fee,
a player may view a movie on the gaining machine. While watching the movie on
the
gaming machine, the player may play games on the gaming machine 2 or the
wireless
game player 125 or just watch the movie.
During the course of a game, a player may be required to make a number of
decisions which affect the outcome of the game. For example, a player may vary
his
or her wager, select a prize, or make game-time decisions which affect the
game play.
These choices may be selected using the player-input switches 32, the main
video
display screen 34 or using some other device which enables a player to input
information into the gaming machine including a key pad, a touch screen, a
mouse, a
joy stick, a microphone and a track ball.
When a game is not being played on the gaming machine or during particular
game operational modes, the player may select an entertainment content source
using
the above mentioned inputs where the entertainment content is independent of a
game
being played on the gaming machine. The entertainment content source may
include,
for instance, a CD player, an FM/AM tuner, a VHS player, a DVD player, a TV
tuner,
a musical jukebox, a video jukebox, a computer, a server and a media software
application. It will be appreciated, however, that any information source may
be
utilized. Entertainment content from these sources may be selected and
displayed on
the wireless game player 125. For instance, a player may listen to music from
the
FM/AM tuner via headphones connected to the wireless game player.
Before playing a game, a player may select the video jukebox, which may
contain a DVD player loaded with many DVDs, as the entertainment content
source
and preview a movie on at least one of the display screens on the gaming
machine 2.
The DVDs may be stored on the gaming machine 2 or in a central location
separate
from the gaining machine. The visual display of the output from the video
jukebox
may be viewed by the player on the main video display screen 34, the secondary
video display screen 42 or the remote display 126. The sound for the movie may
be
projected by the speakers 10, 12 and 14 on the gaming machine or a player may
listen
to the movie through headphones. As described above, the wireless game player
125
may include an interface for audio output such as a headphone jack.
The game player may also use the player input switches 32, key pad 22, and
other input devices to control a feature of the entertainment content. For
example,
when the entertainment content is a movie, the player input switches 32 and
key pad
may be operated to fast forward, stop or pause the movie. When the
entertainment
content is accessing the World Wide Web through a web-browser, the player
input
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switches 32 and key pad may be used to operate the web-browser. Input
switches, as
described with respect to FIG. 1, on the wireless game player 125 may also be
used to
control these functions.
During certain game events, the gaming machine 2 may display visual and
auditory effects that can be perceived by the player. These effects add to the
excitement of a game, which makes a player more likely to continue playing.
Auditory effects include various sounds that are projected by the speakers 10,
12, 14.
Visual effects include flashing lights, strobing lights or other patterns
displayed from
lights on the gaming machine 2 or from lights behind the belly glass 40. After
the
player has completed a game, the player may receive game tokens from the coin
tray
38 or the ticket 20 from the printer 18, which may be used for further games
or to
redeem a prize. Further, the player may receive a ticket 20 for food,
merchandise, or
games from the printer 18. When a player is using the wireless game player
125,
credits available during the wireless game play session are stored on the
gaming
machine. To redeem credits, for instance to receive a printed ticket voucher,
the
player may have to return to the gaming machine 100 or a printing station
supporting
communications with the wireless game player 125. In some embodiments of the
present invention, a player may be able to electronically transfer credits to
a remote
account accessible by the player.
FIGURE 3 is a block diagram of the internal components of a gaming
machine 2 and a wireless game player 125. Components that appear in FIGs. 1
and 2
are identified by common reference numerals. A master gaming controller 224
controls the operation of the various gaming devices and the game presentation
on the
gaming machine 2. In the present invention, the wireless game player 125 is
one of
the gaming devices the master gaming controller 224 controls. The master
gaming
controller 224 may communicate with the wireless game player 125 via a
wireless
communication link 252. The wireless communication link may use a wireless
communication standard such as but not limited to IEEE 802.11a, IEEE 802.11b,
IEEE 802.11x (e.g. another IEEE 802.11 standard such as 802.11c or 802.11e),
hyperlan/2, Bluetooth, and HomeRF.
As described above, in the present invention, the gaming machine may operate
in a local operational mode where a game is presented on a local display
screen, such
as 32 or 42, a remote operational mode where a game is presented on the
wireless
game player 125 or combinations thereof. When the gaming machine 2 is in a
local
operational mode, using a game code and graphic libraries stored on the gaming
machine 2, the master gaming controller 224 generates a game presentation
which is
presented on the displays 34 and 42. The game presentation is typically a
sequence of
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frames updated at a rate of 60 Hz (60 frames/sec). For instance, for a video
slot game,
the game presentation may include a sequence of frames of slot reels with a
number
of symbols in different positions. When the sequence of frames is presented,
the slot
reels appear to be spinning to a player playing a game on the gaming machine.
The
final game presentation frames in the sequence of the game presentation frames
are
the final position of the reels. Based upon the fmal position of the reels on
the video
display 34, a player is able to visually determine the outcome of the game.
Each frame in sequence of frames in a game presentation is temporarily stored
in a video memory 236 located on the master gaming controller 224 or
alternatively
on the video controller 237. The gaming machine 2 may also include a video
card
(not shown) with a separate memory and processor for performing graphic
functions
on the gaming machine. Typically, the video memory 236 includes 1 or more
frame
buffers that store frame data that is sent by the video controller 237 to the
display 34
or the display 42. The frame buffer is in video memory directly addressable by
the
video controller. The video memory and video controller may be incorporated
into a
video card which is connected to the processor board containing the master
gaming
controller 224. The frame buffer may consist of RAM, VRAM, SRAM, SDRAM, etc.
The frame data stored in the frame buffer provides pixel data (image data)
specifying the pixels displayed on the display screen. In one embodiment, the
video
memory includes 3 frame buffers. The master gaming controller 224, according
to the
game code, may generate each frame in one of the frame buffers by updating the
graphical components of the previous frame stored in the buffer. Thus, when
only a
minor change is made to the frame compared to a previous frame, only the
portion of
the frame that has changed from the previous frame stored in the frame buffer
is
updated. For example, in one position of the screen, a 2 of hearts may be
substituted
for a king of spades. This minimizes the amount of data that must be
transferred for
any given frame. The graphical component updates to one frame in the sequence
of
frames (e.g. a fresh card drawn in a video poker game) in the game
presentation may
be performed using various graphic libraries stored on the gaming machine.
This
approach is typically employed for the rendering of 2-D graphics. For 3-D
graphics,
the entire screen is typically regenerated for each frame.
Pre-recorded frames stored on the gaming machine may be displayed using
video "streaming". In video streaming, a sequence of pre-recorded frames
stored on
the gaming machine is streamed through frame buffer on the video controller
237 to
one or more of the displays. For instance, a frame corresponding to a movie
stored on
the game partition 228 of the hard drive 222, on a CD-ROM or some other
storage
device may streamed to the displays 34 and 42 as part of game presentation.
Thus, the
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game presentation may include frames graphically rendered in real-time using
the
graphics libraries stored on the gaming machine as well as pre-rendered frames
stored
on the gaming machine 2.
When the gaming machine is in a remote operational mode and a game is
presented a display 126 on the mobile wireless game player 125, in one
embodiment,
video frame data to present a game of chance may be directly streamed from
gaming
machine 2 via the wireless interface 248 and wireless access point 250 to the
wireless
game player 125 via wireless interface 260. The video frame data may be stored
in a
memory 258 on the wireless game player 258 and then displayed on the display
125.
The video frames sent to the wireless game player may be reduced in resolution
and
compressed to reduce the communication band-with necessary to transmit the
video
frames to the wireless game player 125.
In another embodiment of the present invention, the video frames to present a
game of chance may be rendered locally on the wireless game player 125.
Graphical
programs that allow a game to be rendered on the wireless game player may be
stored
in memory 258. For instance, the memory 258 may store a graphical program to
render a slot game or a graphical program to render a card game. The memory
258
may store graphical programs for one or more games. For instance, the memory
258
may store graphical routines for a plurality of games supported by gaming
machine 2.
In one embodiment, the wireless game player 125 may be configured to allow
different graphical programs for presenting different games to be downloaded
into
memory 258.
In other embodiments, the wireless gaming device may include a detachable
memory and interface for the detachable memory. The detachable memory may
store
graphical applications for one or more games. Thus, to enable a particular
game, a
detachable memory storing graphical applications for the particular game may
inserted in the detachable memory interface on the wireless game player 125.
The
detachable memory may be in the form of read-only cartridges and may include a
locking mechanism that prevents removal of the cartridge by the player. Thus,
only
authorized gaming personnel may be able to change a cartridge in the wireless
game
player.
The wireless game player may include a video card (not shown) to aid in the
rendering process. The video card may include one or more graphical processing
units
that are used to render images to the display 126. The video card may be used
to
render 2-D graphics and 3-D graphics on the wireless game player 125.
Graphical
processing may also be performed by microprocessor 254 including 2-D and 3-D
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graphical rendering. Some images may be pre-rendered and stored on the
wireless
game player 125 and activated by a small string of commands from the gaming
machine 2. Animations, such as reel rotation for a slot game, may be performed
by
routines on the wireless game player 125.
When the game graphics are rendered locally on the wireless game player 125,
all of the game logic necessary to present the game of chance still resides on
the
gaming machine 2. Any switch or touch input necessary for game play on the
wireless
game player 125 (e.g., making a wager, initiating a game, holding cards,
drawing
cards, etc.) is transmitted 2 from the wireless game player 125 to the gaming
machine
2. The gaming machine 2 executes gaming logic associated with the switch or
touch
inputs and sends the result back to the wireless game player 125. The wireless
game
player 125 verifies information sent from the gaining machine. In general,
communication between the gaming machine 2 and the wireless game player 125 is
encrypted. For any screen image or input involving the outcome of the game or
betting, an additional level of transmit and receive data verification may be
used by
the wireless game player 125 and the gaming machine 2 to ensure the correct
information is displayed on the wireless game player 125.
For illustrative purposes only, a series of commands between the gaming
machine 2 and the wireless game player is described. The present invention is
not
limited to the commands described in this example. In response to input from
player
inputs 256 located on the wireless game player 125, the master gaming
controller 224
may send a series of instructions to the wireless game player 125 that allow
the game
of chance to be rendered on display 126 of the wireless game player 125. The
master
gaming controller may also send instructions controlling audio output and
other
gaming devices on the wireless game player 125. For instance, for a slot game,
the
master gaming controller 224 may calculate symbol position, reel position,
start and
stop rotation for a number of reels. Then, the master gaming controller 225
may send
one or more messages via the wireless communication link 252 to the wireless
game
player 125 with instructions such as 1) "render reels spinning", 2) "render
reel 1 at
position A", 3) "render reel 2 at position B", 4) "render reel 3 at position
C", 5)
"output audio B", 6) "display light pattern A," etc. The instructions may be
processed
and implemented by the microprocessor 254 using graphical software stored on
the
wireless game player 125.
In one embodiment of the present invention, the wireless game player may be
connected to a number of peripheral devices such as a printer 270 or a card
reader
272. The printer 270 and the card reader 272 may communication with the
wireless
game player via a wire communication protocol such as serial, parallel, USB,
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Firewire or IEEE 1394. The peripheral devices, such as 270 and 272, may be
controlled by the microprocessor 254 according to inputs received by the
wireless
game player and may also be controlled by the master gaming controller 224 on
the
gaming machine 2.
For gaming machines, an important function is the ability to store and re-
display historical game play information. The game history provided by the
game
history information assists in settling disputes co' ncerning the results of
game play. A
dispute may occur, for instance, when a player believes an award for a game
outcome
was not properly credited to him by the gaming machine. The dispute may arise
for a
number of reasons including a malfunction of the gaming machine, a power
outage
causing the gaming machine to reinitialize itself and a misinterpretation of
the game
outcome by the player. In the case of a dispute, an attendant typically
arrives at the
gaming machine and places the gaming machine in a game history mode. In the
game
history mode, important game history information about the game in dispute can
be
retrieved from a non-volatile storage on the gaming machine and displayed in
some
manner to a display on the gaming machine. The game history information is
used to
reconcile the dispute.
During ,the game presentation, the master gaming controller 224 may select
and capture certain frames to provide a game history. These decisions are made
in
accordance with particular game code executed by controller 224. The captured
frames may be incorporated into game history frames. Typically, one or more
frames
critical to the game presentation are captured. For instance, in a video slot
game
presentation, a game presentation frame displaying the final position of the
reels is
captured. In a video blackjack game, a frame corresponding to the initial
cards of the
player and dealer, frames corresponding to intermediate hands of the player
and
dealer and a frame corresponding to the final hands of the player and the
dealer may
be selected and captured as specified by the master gaming controller. Details
of
frame capture for game history applications are provided co-pending U.S.
application
No. 09/689,498, filed on October 11, 2000 by LeMay, et al., entitled, "Frame
Buffer
Capture of Actual Game Play:'
In general, the gaming machine 2 maintains transaction logs of all events and
game play. In some embodiments, as described above, the gaming machine may
generate and store video frames as a game history record. The video frames may
correspond to gaming information displayed on the wireless game player 125.
During
a wireless game play session, when the wireless game player 125 stops
responding to
the gaming machine 2, the game presented on the wireless game player 125
stops.
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The wireless game player 125 may stop responding to the gaming machine 2
because
the wireless game player 125 is out-of-area reception, a battery level is low
on the
wireless game player, a power failure on the gaming machine 2 and other
factors. To
continue an interrupted game, the wireless game player 125may ping the gaming
machine 2 to reestablish communications and start the verification and
authentication
cycle as previously described. In the case of a dispute, the player may have
to return
to the gaming machine 2 so that game history records on the gaming machine can
be
accessed.
FIGURE 4 is a block diagram of a network of gaming machines and wireless
game players. Gaming machines 465, 466, 467, 468, 469, 475, 476, 477, 478 and
479,
located in a floor area of casino 405, support wireless game play and are
connected to
a wireless access point 425. The gaming machines 465, 466, 467, 468, 469, 475,
476,
477, 478 and 479 are also connected to a player tracking system 410 via a data
collection unit 455. Thus, game play on a wireless game player, such as 420,
in
communication with one of the gaming machines on the casino floor may generate
player tracking points. Further, a player Using a game player, such as 420,
may be
able to utilize services traditionally offered through player tracking devices
on
gaming machines such as a drink request. To provide the player tracking
services, a
player tracking service interface may be displayed on the touch screen of the
wireless
game player. Details of player tracking services and other gaming services
that may
be provided through a wireless game player of the present invention are
described in
co-pending U.S. application no. 09/921,489 filed on August 3, 2001, by
Hedrick, et
al, and entitled "PLAYER TRACKING COMMUNICATION MECHANISMS IN A
GAMING MACHINE".
The gaming machines located on the casino floor may also be connected to
other remote servers such as but not limited to cashless system servers,
progressive
game servers, bonus game servers, prize servers, Internet an entertainment
content
server, a concierge service server and a money transfer server and the like.
Game
services offered by the remote servers connected to the gaming machines may
also be
offered on wireless game players such as 420. For instance, a game player may
participate in a progressive game using the wireless game player 420. In
another
example, a game player may be able to perform a cashless transaction enabled
by a
cashless system, such as the EZPAYTm cashless system (IGT, Reno NV), using a
wireless game player.
In one embodiment, the gaming machines 465, 466, 467, 468, 469, 475, 476,
477, 478 and 479 connected to the access point 425 are each provided with a
wireless
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game player, such as 420, 421, 422 and 423. The gaming machines use a common
wireless access point 425. In this case, the access point device is also a
multi-port
switch. So, each machine has an Ethernet connection to the access point 425.
In another embodiment of the present invention, an antenna may be built into
.. a candle located on top of a gaming machine or some other location in the
gaming
machine. The antenna may be used as a wireless access point for wireless game
play
on one or more gaming machines. As an example, an antenna may be installed in
the
candle of gaming machine 467 to be used as a wireless access point for
wireless game
play on gaming machines 465, 466, 467, 468 and 469. A single gaming machine
with
.. an antenna may be used as part of a larger network of gaming devices
providing
wireless game play or may be used independently of a larger network.
To obtain a wireless game player on one of the gaming machines on the casino
floor, a player may request a wireless game player via a service call on the
gaming
machine such as through the player tracking system. The request may go to a
remote
.. location, such as a terminal at a wireless game player attendant station
415 and an
attendant may then bring a wireless game player to the gaming machine where
the
request for wireless game play has been made. The request may be routed to the
attendant station 415 via the wireless game player server 430. When a wireless
game
player server 430 is not used, the request may be sent directly to the
attendant station
.. 415. As another example, when a request for wireless game play is made, a
light on
the gaming machine such as the candle on top of the gaming machine may be
activated. In this case, a passing attendant may bring the game player a
wireless game
player. In yet another embodiment, a player may make a request for a wireless
game
player on a terminal at a wireless game player kiosk 416.
Prior to enabling the network connection for the wireless game play, a person
or a system program may determine the customer is eligible to use the wireless
game
player and verify their eligibility. For instance, most gaming jurisdictions
include age
eligibility rules which must be obeyed. As another example, eligibility to use
a
wireless game player may be based upon a player's value to a casino such as a
status
.. in a player tracking club. When authentication is required, the information
is loaded
from the system (could be a smart-card reader on the gaming machine) or a
message
appears on the gaming machine instructing the customer to provide information.
For
example, the gaming machines could have a fingerprint sensor located on the
front
panel or another biometric device. When required, the gaming machine could
instruct
.. the customer that it needs a fingerprint image or other biometric
information before
the customer may use the wireless game player. Information obtained through
biometric sensors located on the gaming machine may be compared with
information
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contained in a customer's biometric file. In some embodiments, the biometric
information file may be downloaded to the gaming machine from a remote server
and
the biometric comparison may be performed on the gaming machine, the gaming
machine may send biometric information to a remote server where the biometric
comparison is performed, or combinations thereof.
In some instances, gaming machines supporting wireless game players may be
located in a high-roller area (e.g., very valued customers) and the machines
may have
a specially designed stand where the wireless game players are stored. The
wireless
game players may be enabled by an attendant or may automatically be enabled
when
the casino customer inserts their player-tracking card into the gaming machine
(special customer). As with the gaming machines located on the casino floor,
the
player-tracking system or some other remote gaming device may download the
customer's biometric file to the gaming machine or the gaming machines could
have
a fingerprint sensor located on the front panel. When required, the gaming
machine
may instruct the customer that it needs a fingerprint image before the
customer use
the wireless game player.
To establish remote operations on the wireless game player, the gaming
machine may ping the wireless game player with a series of communications. In
one
embodiment, once this operation is completed, the game play is transferred to
the
wireless game player. The screen of the gaming machines may go black (perhaps
with
a out-of-service message) and all customer cash and switch controls are locked
out
(nobody can use them). The master gaming controller on the gaming machine will
continue to play the games, perform all the outcome determination and cash
transaction (bets & credits), and maintains all the meter information.
However, all the
front panel and display data is channeled to the wireless game player. In one
embodiment, when the gaming machines credit balance reaches zero, the customer
is
required to return to the gaming machine and insert more money. To enter more
money, first, the local gaming machine controls are activated by the player or
an
attendant. In jurisdictions where the customer can use a debit or smart card
to add
money to a gaming machine, a card reader (smart card) connected to the
wireless
game player may be used to perform this function.
In general, during a wireless game play session, the gaming machine
communicates continuously with the wireless game player. In one embodiment, a
web browser is used to display input switch commands. The displayed
information
on the wireless game player may come over from the gaming machine as HTML page
information. Therefore, the wireless game player may use web-based
transactions.
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Additional details of a wireless game play network are described in the
following paragraphs. The wireless game play network is shown in FIG.4 is only
one
example of many possible embodiments of the present invention. The gaming
machines and other gaming devices supporting wireless game play on wireless
game
players comprise a wireless game play network. The wireless game play network
may
be a part of a larger system network. The larger system network may provide
the
capability for a large number of gaming machines throughout a casino to be on
the
same wireless game play network. High-gain antennas and repeaters may be used
to
expand the range of the wireless game players allowing them to work in all
areas of a
casino/hotel complex, including hotels rooms and pool area. Racetracks, large
bingo
parlors and special outdoor events may also be covered within the wireless
game play
network allowing wireless game play in these areas.
The wireless game play network may also include wired access points that
allow a wireless game player to be plugged directly into the network. For
example, a
wireless game player may include an Ethernet connector that may be directly
plugged
into the network segment 446. The direct network connectors may be provided
with
cradles used to charge the wireless game player. The charging cradles may be
located
at many locations within the wireless game play network.
In Fig. 4, the range of the wireless access point 425 is denoted by a circle
447
used in the wireless game play network. Many such access points may be used in
a
wireless game play network depending upon the network topography. For
instance,
due the size of a particular casino and the area covered by a single access
point, there
could be other access points used as repeaters located throughout the casino
and hotel.
In addition, the wireless access point could also be connected to an existing
network.
After receiving an active wireless game player, a player may use the wireless
game
player in the areas of casino 405 within the circle 447. Further, the player
may use the
wireless game player, if approved by a local gaming jurisdiction, in the areas
of a
keno parlor 407, a restaurant 409, and a hotel 411, which are within the
circle 447.
While using the wireless game player, a player may wander to different
locations
within circle 447 such as from the casino 405 to the restaurant 409.
In general, wireless game play in the wireless game play network is enabled
by gaming devices executing licensed and regulated gaming software. However,
the
gaming devices supporting wireless game play are not limited gaming machines,
such
as 465, 466, 467, 468, 469, 475, 476, 477, 478 and 479 located on a casino
floor.
Special wireless-only gaming machines 435 mounted in racks or containers
connected
to a wireless gaming network may be used to support wireless game play using
wireless game players. The wireless-only gaming machines 435 may not offer
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game play. For instance, the wireless-only gaming machines 435 may not include
display screens. However, the wireless-only gaming machines are still
regulated and
licensed in a manner similar to traditional gaming machines. As another
example, a
wireless game player server 430 with multiple processors may be used to
support
simultaneous game play on a plurality of wireless game players. The wireless-
only
gaming machines 435 and the wireless game play server 430 may be located in a
restricted area 430 of the casino 405 and may not be generally accessible to
game
players.
The wireless-only gaming machines 435 and wireless game play server 430
are connected the wireless access point 425 via a connection 446. The wireless-
only
gaining machines 435 and wireless game play server are also in communication
with
a wireless game player attendant station 415 and the player tracking and
accounting
server 410 via network connection 445. The wireless-only gaming machine and
wireless game player server 430 may also be connected to other remote gaming
devices such as a progressive servers, cashless system servers, bonus servers,
prize
servers and the like.
When using a wireless-only gaming machine, the customer may use a kiosk,
such as 416 or a cashier to enter cash and provide authentication information
for a
wireless game play session using a wireless game player. Then, the customer
may be
assigned a wireless game player, such as 420, 421, 422 and 423, in
communication
with one of the wireless-only gaming machines 435 or the wireless game play
server
430. Once authenticated and verified, the customer may select a game and begin
playing the wireless game player. There may be wireless game play cradles in
the
keno parlor 422, restaurant 409 or Racebook areas, allowing the customer to
play
their favorite casino machine game and at the same time make keno or Racebook
bets
or eat. In addition, the wireless game play cradles may be used to charge
batteries on
the wireless game player and may also be used to provide an additional network
access point such as through a wire connection provided on the cradle. The
wireless
game player may also be used for Racebook and Keno betting. Thus, a player may
watch a horserace or see the results of a certain event on the display of the
wireless
game player.
Finally, the wireless game player may also be used for other activities
besides
gaming. For example, because of the authentication and verification (security)
features, the wireless game player could be safe way to conduct monetary
transactions
such as electronic funds transfers. As another example, the wireless game
player
may be used for video teleconferencing to visually connect to a casino host or
to
provide instant messaging services. In addition, when the wireless game player
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supports web-based browsers and the wireless game play network includes
Internet
access, the wireless game player may be used to obtain any web-based services
available over the Internet.
FIGURE 5 is a flow chart depicting a method in a gaming machine of
providing a game of chance on a wireless game player in communication with the
gaming machine. In 500, a gaming machine is reserved for wireless game play.
In the
case of a wireless game server, the gaming machine may refer to a set of
processes
and memory locations executed on the wireless game server that are dedicated
to
providing wireless game services to a particular wireless game player. For a
wireless
game play server supporting wireless game play on multiple wireless game
players,
processes associated with a particular wireless game player may be tracked by
the
wireless game player server. In 505, a game available on the gaming machine is
selected. In some embodiments, a portable memory cartridge may be inserted
into the
wireless game player to provide the selected game or programs may be loaded
into
the wireless game player to provide the selected game. For gaming machines
offering
only a single game, this step is not required. In 510, credits are established
on the
gaming machine.
In 515, communications are established with the wireless game player and the
game play is transferred to the wireless game player to initiate a wireless
game play
session. Optionally, an authentication and verification process is implemented
prior to
transferring game play to the wireless game player. In 520, the gaming machine
receives a request to initiate a game from the wireless game player. The
request may
be a message including information such as a wager amount for the game. The
request may be in encrypted message which is decrypted by the gaming machine.
Further, the gaming machine may perform various checks, such as a CRC and
check
sums, to validate the accuracy of any information contained in the message. In
525,
the gaming machine calculates a game outcome. In 530, the gaming machine
generates an encrypted message and sends the game outcome and instructions for
displaying the game outcome to the wireless game player. In some embodiments,
the
gaming machine may receive one or messages from the wireless game player
including information regarding game decisions (e.g., initiate game, wager
amount,
draw cards, hold cards, etc.) made by a game player using the wireless game
player.
The game decisions may be generated using input switches and buttons located
on the
wireless game player. The game decisions may affect the game outcome
calculated by
the gaming machine.
In 535, the gaming machine may store a record of the game to a non-volatile
memory on the gaming machine. The gaming machine may also send metering
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information regarding the game to a player tracking and accounting server. In
540, the
gaming machine determines whether a bonus game has been enabled. In 545, when
a
bonus game is enabled, the gaming machine may send a bonus outcome and
instructions for displaying a bonus outcome to the wireless game player.
The gaming machine may terminate a wireless game play session as a result of
a number of events. For example, the gaming machine may track the location of
the
wireless game player using a GPS device located in the game player. When the
wireless game player enters an area not authorized for wireless game play, the
gaming
machine may terminate the wireless game play session. As another example, the
gaming machine may terminate a wireless game play session after a certain of
games,
after a= certain amount of time or after a period of inactivaty.
FIGURE 6 is a flow chart depicting a method of providing a game of chance
in a wireless game player in communication with a gaming machine. As described
above, the wireless game player in many embodiments of the present invention
is a
remote extension of the gaining machine where game play outcomes, such as RNG
(random number generation) events, are generated on the gaming machine.
However,
a properly licensed and regulated wireless game player may also provide direct
game
play without the use of a remote gaming machine i.e. all gaming functions are
performed on the wireless game player.
In 600, the wireless game player is activated. The activation process may
include turning on the power to the wireless game player and any self-checks,
such as
boot procedures, performed by the wireless game player. In 605, communications
are
established with the gaming machine. In 607, an authentication and
verification
process is optionally implemented using the wireless game player. For
instance, the
wireless game player may include a biometric input device such as a finger
print
reader.
In 608, game play on the wireless game player is enabled. In some
embodiments, wireless game play may not be enabled until certain security
procedures have been followed such verifying a serial number associated with
the
wireless game player, verifying the identity of a game player and combinations
thereof. On some wireless game players and gaming machines, multiple games may
be supported. Thus, while using the wireless game player, a player may have
the
option of selecting a new game. In 610, one or more input signals are detected
from
input mechanisms on the wireless game player such as mechanical buttons or
from a
touch screen. The input signals may be used to make a wager, initiate a game
or make
game decisions. In 615, the input signals are sent in one or messages to the
gaming
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machine. In general, the messages are encrypted. In 620, one or messages
containing
a game outcome generated on the gaming machine and instructions for displaying
the
game outcome may be received by the wireless game player. The one or more
message are decrypted by the wireless game player. Further, the wireless game
player
may perform various checks, such as a CRC and check sums, to validate the
accuracy
of any information contained in the messages from the gaming machine. In 625,
the
game outcome is displayed on the wireless game player. Additionally, a bonus
game
outcome may also be displayed.
Although the foregoing invention has been described in some detail for
purposes of clarity of understanding, it will be apparent that certain changes
and
modifications may be practiced within the scope of the appended claims. For
instance,
while one of the gaming machines of this invention have been depicted as
having top
box mounted on top of the main gaming machine cabinet, the use of gaming
devices
in accordance with this invention is not so limited. For example, gaming
machine
may be provided without a top box.
What is claimed is:
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